Staying healthy is something we all strive for, but sometimes it is not always possible. Freak accidents or sudden illnesses can often strike without warning, leaving us less than fit. In instances such as these, it is healthcare workers who come to the rescue and nurses in particular who give the care needed to help patients recover.
As anyone who has spent time in a hospital or clinic will know, there are often multiple nurses working on any one unit and a range of other colleagues they have to work alongside. Due to this, teamwork and collaboration are crucial for any professional nurse.
But how can you build up these skills if you plan to enter nursing, and why is teamwork so important?
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How Do You Pick Up Teamwork Skills to Use in Nursing?
The best way to learn how to work as part of a team as a nurse is through the study of the subject. By doing this when training to become a nurse, you can pick up the skills needed as part of your studies and be fully prepared when you begin working in this type of position.
The distance accelerated BSN program from the University of Indianapolis is a popular course with this in mind. With 100% online courses and a 1:1 preceptorship, it is also an ideal choice for those coming into nursing as a second career from another industry.
Good Teamwork Improves Patient Care Levels
Just as the right mattress can help you sleep better, better teamwork across nursing can elevate patient care levels. This is one of the biggest reasons it is so important across the sector as a whole. But how does this work in practice?
Good teamwork between nurses facilitates more effective communication in general and means key information about individual patients is passed on. This could be medication they are allergic to, when they are due for their next checkup, or how they are feeling in general.
Outstanding teamwork across nursing also means that staff remain focused on delivering the best care and are not distracted by petty squabbles between staff members. It can also help build a stronger bond between nurses in a unit, which then helps them perform to their maximum capabilities.
Positive Boost for Career Prospects
The importance of teamwork is well-known across many industries, and this is also true within nursing. While the most beneficial impact is patient-focused, it can also be felt in other areas too.
For nurses themselves, making the effort to work well in a team can make them stand out as someone who is professional and a good team player. In addition, being able to collaborate effectively with a range of colleagues across various roles can open up new career paths for them.
For example, performing well in one department may lead to recommendations and promotions in other departments. Working well with others is also useful if you plan to move into more advanced roles within healthcare. If you have built up a reputation within nursing as someone easy to work with and a team player, you will find it easier to move up the career ladder.
Efficiency in the Workplace
Good teamwork within nursing is also effective in terms of boosting workplace efficiency. This is because it is easier for a nursing team to work efficiently when they are all pulling in the same direction. By collaborating in this way, nurses can ensure they hit any pre-defined objectives for their unit.
Collaboration within nursing can also help to drive efficiencies when it comes to the implementation of healthcare plans. By working together, nurses can cut back on the doubling of jobs and make better use of resources. This can be useful for reducing costs overall and saving their facility money.
Job Satisfaction Levels Rise Through Teamwork
Nursing is a rewarding role, and this is one of the main reasons so many are drawn to it. Maintaining this feeling of satisfaction is key, and teamwork between colleagues is one way to achieve this.
When nurses work together with colleagues in harmony, they feel good and enjoy their jobs. This leads them to feel satisfied with it and feel like someone whose opinions are valued. Happier nurses result in fewer staff turnovers and more satisfied patients.
Collaboration within Nursing is Essential
As the above shows, excellent levels of teamwork within the nursing profession is critical for several reasons. Due to this, modern training for nurses can often focus on how to work as part of a team and how to effectively collaborate with colleagues across a range of healthcare roles.
